• Crazy Key West Videos!
• Who Are The Key West Guys?

What's a Junkanoo?

Posted on April 25, 2008 | Filed Under The Conch Republic

Wikipedia defines a Junkanoo as: is a street parade with music, which occurs in many towns across The Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day. The largest Junkanoo parade happens in Nassau, the capital.

Junkanoo groups "rush" from midnight until shortly after dawn, to the music of cowbells, in costumes made from cardboard covered in tiny shreds of colourful crepe paper, competing for cash prizes.

The Conch Republic defines a junkanoo as:

The Story of the Conch Republic

Posted on April 25, 2008 | Filed Under The Conch Republic

Family Activities in Key West

Posted on April 5, 2008 | Filed Under Blog

The Key West Guys Family Fun Picks.

These are Great family friendly things to do. They all have “The Key West Guys Seal of Approval for Family fun. We’ve only selected 5 “starfish” attractions

Historic Civil War Fort Zachary Taylor State Park:
 Great for history lovers, something for everyone. History Buffs will love the Historical Civil War aspects. You’ll enjoy a guided tour led by Park Rangers that occasionally wear period costumes as they take you through the haunted halls of this once great citadel. The price for the guided tour is always right… It’s at our favorite price – FREE.  This is by far one of the greatest attractions for families that the island has to offer!

Bonus Trip – Fort Taylor has the best beach on the island. The pictures of  Sunset from here are sold all over the island. It’s a photographers secret sunset weapon! It’s also the only place in the worlds that you can swim from the Atlantic Ocean to The Gulf of Mexico – in 10 seconds!

The Key West Guys are confident that any family could make an adventure at Fort Taylor into an all day, unforgettable event. There are picnic areas and grills for barbecuing. Between the history and the beauty of the landscape and  surrounding waters we bet you’ll be hard pressed to leave.

This one gets the Key West guys 5 starfishes of approval for family fun.

Directions to the Park: Follow US 1 into Key West. Turn right, following signs to downtown Key West via North Roosevelt Blvd. At Eisenhower Drive, Roosevelt becomes Truman Avenue. Continue on Truman, 1 block past Duval to Whitehead Street. Turn Right on Whitehead. 4 blocks to Southard Street. Turn left on Southard, continue through the entrance to the Truman Annex residential neighborhood. At the end of Southard turn left, following the signs to the park entrance.

The Florida Keys Echo Discovery Center:

We couldn’t wait for this one to open! This January the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association opened an interactive museum for learning about the environment above and below the waterline here in the Florida Keys. These guys went over the top with color and descriptive displays, interactive audio visuals, and even a large screen theater with a 20 minute film on the National Marine Sanctuary. You’ll even learn how scientists live beneath the seas during research expeditions.

Again it’s at our favorite price range – Free! This is a Key West incredible Value!

The Key West Guys give this 5 Starfish.

35 East Quay Road.  Located at the end of Southard Street in Truman Annex in Key West, across the street from Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Pirate Soul Museum and the Rum Barrel:

Another one of our newer attractions in town is the Pirate Soul Museum. Former president of the Philadelphia  76’ers and avid Pirate Historian and fanatic, Pat Croce came to Key West and brought his vast array of pirate treasures with him.

This place is astonishing. Croce’s collection is the best preserved and the most comprehensive on the Island. The whole family will be amazed by all it has to offer. The young ones will love the special effects and the fun “Being On A REAL Pirate Ship Feel” while the more astute will get lost in the extensive history and real Pirate Booty.

Before or after families can pay a visit to the Rum Barrel Bar for a wonderful tropical meal in a pirate environment.

From the Key West Guys, this is another 5 star must see for families.

Adults are only $13.50 and Kids are $7.00
524 Front St. Key West, FL 33040

Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden:

If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering a tropical rain forest, surrounded by lush foliage, exotic plants and flowers, serenaded by Parrots and Cockatoos… well… you have arrived!

This is one of Key West’s, off the beaten path, wonderful, best kept secrets. It’s a place for peace, tranquility, education and abandonment. This one acre forest in Key West started as a way for Nancy to “green” up the space around her and has grown organically into a beautiful tropical forest. Mom’s and Dads will love the peace and beauty they find here, kids will enjoy the maze like forest and learn about, communicate, and interact with Parrots up close and personal!

(Kids this is also a Parrot Rescue, where parrots come when their owners can’t take care of them anymore, so please use your inside voices with them and treat them with the respect that all wild animals deserve)

This is a don’t miss, gotta see, 5 starfish attraction. It’s definitely a Key West Guys Favorite!

Admission is only $6.00

You can reach the entrance to the garden by walking down a small lane off of Simonton Street between Southard and Fleming.  The lane is called Free-School Lane and is opposite Heron House on Simonton. 

The Key West Nature Theater and Planetarium:

Our Key West ancestors traveled the seas and used the stars to navigate, So of course a trip to Key West’s Planetarium is in order!

This is another “Key West Best Kept Secret Spot” Most people don’t know that on the second floor of the Clinton Square Mall is the Key West Planetarium. Kids of all ages, especially sea and star lovers will thoroughly enjoy this presentation of the skies over our island now and in times past.

This is also an excellent activity to do before going on a star gazer cruise.

 Another favorite. That takes only about 20 minutes and you see a different side of Key West!

Clinton Square Market Mall,  Upper level 291 Front Streett

Key West Stargazer Cruise

As the sun sets in the Florida Keys it’s hard to avoid gazing into the night sky to stare with wonder and curiosity. After the sunsets the show doesn’t stop. Key West has a beautiful night sky, and the best place to see it is away from the “city” lights and commotion. The Schooner Western Union is the flagship of the Conch Republic and a treat to cruise on anytime. But at night it becomes your “Starship”!

The KEY WEST STARGAZER CRUISE is a fully narrated 90-minute cruise aboard the historic Schooner WESTERN UNION that combines fact, history and legend to spark the imagination and unravel the mysteries of our local celestial display. Complimentary Wine, beer and champagne are served, as well as soft drinks for the young swabbie. Conch Chowder and Key Lime Ice Cream is also available seasonally

This is a wonderful nighttime cruise and a great way to end the day. Very Romantic, and very educational and fun for all the family! We give the Stargazer cruise 5 Starfish!

$38.00 for adults, kids cruise free with an adult!

202 William Street, Key West, Florida

• Recent Posts

  • Who are The Key West Guys?
  • Remember the sacrifice
  • Captain Tony turns 92
  • Air Margaritaville Live at ST. Clair Shores!
  • Ride the rails in Michigan

• Categories

  • Blog
  • The Conch Republic
  • Travel Channel Contest

• Archives

  • July 2010
  • May 2009
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008